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| Criterion |  UX Research User Interviews |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph |  Systems Thinking Iceberg Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When teams derive needs only from assumptions and real motives are missing, user interviews give direct access to behavior and meaning. Conversations from the target group's everyday life make patterns, tensions, and open questions solidly visible. | A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations. | A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots. | The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–60 min per interview | 1-3 h | 20-45 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1 participant per interview | 2-8 | 1-10 | 2-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Interview Notes, Themes, Insight Summary | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events | Iceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | QualitativeResearchCustomerDiscovery | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics | Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns |